A Deep Dive into Engineering Technology

Civil Engineering Technician/Technologist

Through 2028, job openings and job seekers will be at similar levels in Canada,  with a moderate number of new positions and positions available due to retirements in Ontario. Employment growth will largely be seen due to investments in public infrastructure, residential expansion, land development and revitalization. Significant public-sector infrastructure investments in bridges, highways, roads, stormwater management, and in transit systems for improved connectivity and to meet longer-term climate goals, as well as population growth resulting in high levels of new residential construction will also support employment in this group.

Construction Manager

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line nationally through 2028.. In Ontario through a moderate number of new positions and positions available due to retirements are expected through 2023 where most work in construction for building companies, as specialty trade contractors, or in heavy and civil engineering construction, while a smaller number work in architectural and engineering services.   Employment growth will be due to favourable construction activity, large infrastructure investments in transit, health care, utilities, highways and bridges, steady demand for new housing to meet population growth, investments in industrial projects and mining and improved commercial construction, home renovation projects, and repairs and upgrades to buildings and infrastructure.

Construction Worker

The balanced labour supply and demand seen in recent years is expected to continue in Canada through 2028. A moderate number of new positions and positions due to retirements are expected in Ontario. 86% in this profession work in full-time roles.

Electrical Engineering Technician/Technologist

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group in Canada.  In Ontario, employment outlook will be good with a moderate number of new positions and several positions available due to retirements. Employment opportunities will be seen from technological advancements in production systems, data infrastructure, medical technologies, and ongoing development of autonomous vehicle technologies, and a greater demand for consulting services and technical expertise in a variety of areas such as manufacturing, energy, communication, and security. Other trends affecting employment are higher levels of construction activity especially non-residential and engineering building and large investments in internet infrastructure across the province, particularly in rural and remote regions.

Electrician

Job openings and job seekers should be at relatively similar levels through 2028 in Canada, for electricians, but does not include industrial and power system.  Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions in Ontario, with construction activity expected to be favourable, large infrastructure investments in transit, health care, public facilities, and improved commercial construction, steady demand for new housing to meet population growth including construction of multi-unit building in urban centres, and home renovation projects and the need to repair and upgrade buildings and public spaces will all support employment in this occupation group.

Industrial Electrician

Through 2028 in Canada, new job openings arising from expansion demand and replacement demand are expected to total 12,500, while 12,900 new job seekers are expected to be available to fill them. Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions and several positions will become available due to retirements.  Main trends affecting employment are stable industrial activity in Ontario and ongoing service repair needs, large-scale investment in electric vehicle production may create work in the automotive manufacturing industry,  and large infrastructure investments in transit, health care, and public facilities, and improved commercial construction.

Industrial/Manufacturing Engineer

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group  with a moderate number of new positions and a moderate number of positions available due to retirements. Retirements are expected to represent about 68% of total job openings which is higher than the average of 59% across all occupations.   Employment growth will be seen due to improved levels of manufacturing and overall economic activity expected in Canada and the U.S., a shift towards more advanced manufacturing process and productions systems, large investments in automotive manufacturing, and opportunities to determine human resource needs, reduce costs and improve workflow in a broad range of areas, such as supply chain management, healthcare and finance.

Industrial Engineering Technician/Technologist

Labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line for this occupation group in Canada through 2028.  In Ontario, a moderate number of new positions and several positions available due to retirements are expected. The main trends affecting employment include improved levels of manufacturing and overall economic activity expected in North America, investments in the automotive industry, including in connected, electric, and autonomous vehicle technologies, a shift towards more advanced manufacturing processes and production systems and the demand for engineering consulting services and opportunities to support workflow, performance and efficiency, and supply chain management across several industries.

Instrumentation Mechanic/Technician

As job openings and job seekers are projected to be at relatively similar levels over through 2028 in Canada, the balance between labour supply and demand seen in recent years is expected to continue.

Machining Tool Operator

The balance between labour supply and demand seen in recently years nationally, is expected to continue through 2028.  In Ontario, employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions with several positions becoming available due to retirements. Employment is mainly found in the following three sectors: fabricated metal product manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, and motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing.

Mechanical Engineering Technician/Technologist

This occupational group is expected to face labour shortage conditions over the period of 2019-2028 at the national level. In Ontario,  moderate employment growth will be due to    improved levels of manufacturing and overall economic activity  to provide technical support and services, a shift towards more advanced manufacturing processes such as new production lines, robotics, and mechanical ventilation systems, investments in the automotive industry,  greater industrial activity expected in the United States and Canada raising demand for machinery and equipment, as well as demand for consulting services to support the design and development of building systems, thermal and fluid processes, biomedical tools, and power generation and sustainability programs.

Robotics/Mechanical Engineer

Job openings and job seekers are projected to be at relatively similar levels, however, a labour shortage is expected in line with recent trends in Canada through 2028. Trends for employment growth will be due to a shift towards more advanced processes in manufacturing, including new production lines, increased use of robotics, and adoption of biomechanics, micro devices and nanotechnologies. There will be large investments in automotive manufacturing, for connected, electric cars, and autonomous vehicle technologies, improved industrial activities in North America which may raise demand for machinery and equipment, and the need for consultancy services to support clients including in the mining sector, which is experiencing higher investments due to global demand for metallic minerals. A pandemic-induced need for upgrades to indoor air systems may support employment for  HVAC engineers.